Request this 30, 45, or 60-minute workshop, and you and your colleagues will be guided through gentle stretching and balancing movements to warm the muscles while calming the mind. Experience the quieting effect movement can have on the mind with this gentle and effective session. Release stress and tension from the body and leave with a clearer mind, feeling more focused and ready to take on whatever awaits you afterward. 

This workshop is physically active, relaxing, team building

There is so much information out there about cooking, it is easy to get overwhelmed. This workshop will cut through the clutter and focus on one of the simple things that sustains us – rice! During this 45-minute workshop, our Wellness dietician will demonstrate two easy ways to make rice, and along the way, your team will learn about different types of rice, their nutritional benefits, and helpful tips for cooking each. If you master the basics of making rice, it’s easier to build out your meals with protein and vegetables. Let’s get cooking!

This workshop is educational, fun, engaging  

Do you find yourself reaching for a snack but unsure what to eat? Then you are in the right place. Join Wellness' nutritionist in this presentation to explore easy, healthy, and quick snack ideas for when you are craving something to nibble on. Whether you are looking for a grab and go option, something easy to take on the road, or a snack between meals, we've got you covered with this A to Z on snacking.

This workshop is educational, fun, interactive

When work and life demands get hard, how do we handle it? In this workshop we will discuss stress, how to navigate stressful situations, and what self-care means to us. There will be a dual focus on in-the-moment relaxation techniques and long-term strategies that can help us live well. We'll have time for self-reflection, group discussions, and guided self-care practices. Additional resources that can be helpful during challenging times will also be provided. 

This workshop is self-reflective, educational, interactive

From nutrition to physical activity, hydration, and sleep, we’ll discuss all things wellness during this workshop. Your team will learn about current guidelines and tips for integrating new habits into your busy lives. This workshop can be facilitated in a traditional style with informational and Q & A sections, or in a game show style format! You can choose the style that is best for your group. 

This workshop is educational, fun, interactive 

This is the perfect 30-minute pre-meeting guided activity to get both your body and mind feeling simultaneously relaxed and ready to focus on upcoming meeting topics. During this workshop, Wellness staff will lead your team through a series of breathing, gentle stretching, guided imagery and progressive relaxation techniques. You’ll release tension and free up valuable mental space.  

This workshop is physically active, relaxing, team building

New to journaling? Give it a try with this workshop. Jumble Journaling allows your mind to freely flow its thoughts onto pages of a journal. Never heard of Jumble Journaling? That’s because the name is made it up. The word jumble is often associated with a confused pile of things. During this workshop, you’ll be invited to experience a few types of journaling styles. Attending this workshop may help to get those jumbled thoughts that are rolling around in your mind out in front of you, creating space between you and your thoughts, often leading to clarity and self-discovery.

This workshop is educational, engaging, self-reflective 

Are you wondering what services are available to you? Well, wait no longer. Request this workshop to learn about the 6 most frequently accessed services Cornell Wellness provides, such as individual wellness consultations, in-person and virtual group exercise classes, and much more. Cornell Wellness serves staff, faculty, retirees, and spouses/partners in the areas of fitness, nutrition, health education and self-care for the mind. We believe that providing education and multiple different opportunities for engagement allow for you to feel empowered to make the best choices for yourself throughout your lifetime journey with wellness. 

This workshop is educational, interactive

During this 30-minute workshop, Cornell Wellness staff will guide your team through several mind and body strengthening movements. These light-to-moderate intensity movements will help you feel stronger, more resilient, and more at ease during times of stress. 

This workshop is physically active, fun, educational  

• Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:00-8:50am, August 25-December 17, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended you provide your own dumbbells
• Register here

This strength training class is a great complement to your movement routine. The class utilizes dumbbells and bodyweight, increasing the strength of your heart and body through various movements that get your heart rate up and muscles working. This full-body workout targets the major muscle groups of both the upper and lower body. Options are provided for each movement so that the participant can choose what best suits their body at that time. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00pm, August 25-December 17, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own mat, foam roller (preferably OPTP soft roller) and 1, 2, or 3 lb. hand weights
• Register here

This class honors the practice of Pilates & the body, building strength in the core and beyond. Pilates is beneficial for everyday activities and sport enthusiasts. This class provides an entire body work out, with an engaged mind, for very special results. Benefits of Pilates include attaining increased body awareness, flexibility, strength, grace, and ease of motion. Be guided through how to recruit the appropriate muscle groups to support each movement and activity, advancing your peak strength and stamina. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Mondays, 5:00-6:30pm, August 25-December 15, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended you provide your own yoga mat
• Register here

Join us for the perfect end to your day, connecting breath and movement in a mindful way as you move through a sequence of asanas designed to help you let go of tension and find balance, unraveling the day to help you prepare for a restful evening. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Tuesdays, 12:15-1:00pm, August 26-December 16, 2025, Location: Helen Newman Hall Dance Studio
• In Person
• Equipment is available on-site for you to use
• Register here

Barre is a class that combines elements of ballet, yoga, and Pilates and uses small micro movements to strengthen, lengthen and sculpt your body. Participate to target specific muscles using isolated exercises that shape your arms, legs, and glutes while focusing on core and alignment. This is a non-impact class. This class is an open-level format to help you build strength, and improve posture and flexibility while creating long lean muscles. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00-7:00pm, August 26-December 18, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own water bottle and towel
• Register here

A high-energy, dance-based fitness class that combines Latin and international music with easy-to-follow moves. This interval style workout blends low and high intensity routines to boost cardio endurance, improve coordination, and leaves you feeling strong and energized. No dance experience needed, just come ready to move and have fun! Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Wednesdays & Fridays, 8:10-8:50am, August 27-December 19, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own water bottle and towel
• Register here

This cardio class is perfect for active older adults who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower intensity. Also great for anyone at any age looking for a moderate intensity energizing class. The design of the class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion, and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered and invigorated. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Thursdays, 8:00-8:50am, August 28-December 18, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own mat
• Register here

Ballet Barre Fitness is a fun, hybrid workout combining the elements of barre, yoga, Pilates and strength training, using small, controlled movements, isometric holds and high repetitions to help you develop long, lean, and sculpted muscles while improving your posture and flexibility. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Thursdays, 9:00-10:00am, August 28-December 18, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own water bottle
• Register here

Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese Wellness art based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Eastern Philosophy. This class includes correcting posture, connecting to breath, mobilizing joints, gently stretching and strengthening muscles, traditional Qi Gong movement sets, static standing postures, as well as meditation and visualization. Most movements are performed standing; however, all movements can be modified to a seated position. This class gently works the body while calming the mind and regulating the nervous system. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Fridays, 7:00-8:00am, August 29-December 19, 2025
• Zoom
• It's recommended that you provide your own yoga mat
• Register here

Join this class for the perfect start to your day, connecting breath and movement in a mindful way as you move through a sequence of asanas designed to help you let go of tension and find balance, setting you up for a productive day. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Fridays, 8:00-8:50am, August 29-December 19, 2025, Location: Helen Newman Hall Dance Studio
• In Person
• Equipment is available onsite for you to use
• Register here

Ballet Barre Fitness is a fun, hybrid workout combining the elements of barre, yoga, Pilates and strength training, using small, controlled movements, isometric holds and high repetitions to help you develop long, lean, and sculpted muscles while improving your posture and flexibility. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Fridays, 9:00-10:00am, August 29-December 19, 2025
• Virtual
• It's recommended that you provide your own mat
• Register here

In this class we incorporate the key principles from Joseph Pilates’ now-infamous method: centering, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow. Following the traditional Pilates mat sequence, you will be challenged to explore where your body is holding and moving each week and seek to relinquish old patterns while waking up underused and overlooked muscles. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. The class Zoom link will be sent out the day before the class begins. If you have registered after the class begins, the class link will be sent out on the Friday after you registered. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Fridays, 10:30-11:30am, August 29-December 19, 2025, Location: Teagle Hall Multipurpose Room
• In Person
• Equipment is available onsite for you to use
• Register here

Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese Wellness art based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Eastern Philosophy. This class includes correcting posture, connecting to breath, mobilizing joints, gently stretching and strengthening muscles, traditional Qi Gong movement sets, static standing postures, as well as meditation and visualization. Most movements are performed standing; however, all movements can be modified to a seated position. This class gently works the body while calming the mind and regulating the nervous system. Contact Tina Hunt with any questions. Registered participants must have an active Wellness Recreation Membership.

• Held Thursdays, August 14 - 28, 2025, 2:30-3:15pm, HR Wellbeing Room - 345 Pine Tree Road, East Hill Plaza
• Register here for this In-Person series
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership required

In this 3-part series you will practice movements that will keep you feeling confident as you get older. Each session will focus on joint mobility, overall stability, and brain-body connections. You’ll strengthen muscles and leave feeling steadier on your feet. This series is appropriate for all fitness levels. Space is limited to 15 participants. Questions? Contact session facilitator C Lucas.

• Held Thursdays, March 20 - April 10, 2025, 11:30-Noon
• Register here for these Zoom sessions
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed

Back by popular demand, Stretch with Wellness returns with a 4-week stretching series that runs from 11:30-Noon on Thursdays. This series will be focused on the legs, hips, and core to help you deepen your connection to the muscles and joints of your lower body. Each session will include a combination of active, energizing stretches and soothing, relaxing stretches. You can attend one or more of these drop-in sessions from anywhere, and you need not attend previous sessions to join later in the series. No equipment is necessary, though some of the stretches will be from a chair. Questions? Contact session facilitator C Lucas.

• Thursdays, April 17 - May 8, 2025, 11:30-Noon
• Register here for these Zoom sessions
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed

Join Cornell Wellness for this 4-week stretching series focused on the upper body. The 30-minute sessions will run from 11:30-Noon on Thursdays. This series will include movements for the shoulders, chest, and back to help you deepen your connection to the muscles and joints of your upper body. Each session will include a combination of active, energizing stretches and soothing, relaxing stretches. You can attend one or more of these drop-in sessions from anywhere, and you need not attend previous sessions to join later in the series. No equipment is necessary, though some of the stretches will be from a chair. Questions? Contact session facilitator C Lucas.

• Held Mondays, April 21 - May 19, 2025, 2:30-3:30pm, HR Wellbeing Room - 345 Pine Tree Road, East Hill Plaza
• Register here for this In-Person series
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed

This 4-week, in-person series is designed to strengthen the brain-body connection. During the sessions, you’ll practice a variety of mental and physical exercises designed to strengthen balance, coordination, and overall bodily control. While the movements will be lower in physical intensity, they will be higher in complexity. You can look forward to solving puzzles, training hand-eye coordination, and much more. This series is appropriate for all fitness levels and is open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed. Space is limited to 15 participants. Questions? Contact session facilitator C Lucas.

Morning Meditation Series

• Held Fridays, 4-sessions, September 19 & 26, October 3 &10, 2025, 9:00-9:30am
• Register here for these Zoom sessions
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership required

For multiple reasons, you may find yourself needing to replenish, rejuvenate, and re-fill your energy cup, and at the same time realize that getting away on vacation is not a viable current option. Join these 30-minute healing in place morning meditations, facilitated by Kerry Howell, Cornell Wellness staff, to start hitting the refresh button. You’ll be invited to sit with your gaze lowered, or eyes closed, while you are led virtually through a meditation designed to focus on the breath and bring a sense of calm to the busy mind. Attend one or more of these drop-in sessions from anywhere you find yourself doing work/life at. Contact Kerry Howell with any questions.

Morning Sip & Relax Series

• Held Fridays, 4-sessions, October 24 & 31, November 7 & 14, 2025, 9:00-9:30am
• Register here for these Zoom sessions
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership required

For multiple reasons, you may find yourself needing to replenish, rejuvenate, and re-fill your energy cup, and at the same time realize that getting away on vacation is not a viable current option. Join these 30-minute healing in place morning sip and guided progressive muscle relaxation sessions, facilitated by Kerry Howell, Cornell Wellness staff, to start hitting the refresh button. Bring a warm beverage of your choosing to the Zoom room to help enhance your relaxation through touch and smell and allow yourself to be led through this relaxation technique that brings needed relief to your overworked muscles as you intentionally tighten and then relax your muscles systematically from your head down to your toes. Attend one or more of these drop-in sessions from anywhere you find yourself doing work/life at. Contact Kerry Howell with any questions.

August is National Wellness Month. It gives us an opportunity to reset and refocus on self-care, stress management, and healthy habits. Wellness is not a one-time event, it’s an ongoing practice of small, daily activities that allow us to manage stress, feel happier and healthier.

Launching the week of August 11, and open to the entire Cornell community (no Wellness membership is needed), we invite you to engage with Wellness on the Go. Take part in one or more of these offerings by August 24 to include Wellness as part of your day even during busy times, especially with the beginning of the school year. Participate and be entered to win a prize ($50 value).

Register here if you are interested in participating in one or more of the offerings below!

• 'Desk Stretches on the Go' Follow along with Tina in a recorded video session released the week of August 11 as she guides you through a brief stretching routine that you can do entirely from your desk. After you have learned the movements, pick one, two, or all to do at any time throughout your day for a quick break of wellness and reprieve.
• ‘Recipes for busy people on the Go’ Is what's for dinner a common question that you get asked often when there isn’t much time in your day to think about it. Brinda will send you recipes the week of August 11 to try out that are nutritious and can be prepared with little time and effort.
• ‘Strengthen on the Go’ Do you love to walk? Have you been thinking about how to add strengthening exercises into your weekly routine without adding much time? Tune in to Wellness’ Instagram the week of August 11 for 3 video releases created by Kerry that demonstrate upper and lower body strengthening exercises you can do while out on a walk or hike. The exercises leverage things you commonly encounter in both the natural and built environment.
• ‘Routine building when you are on the Go’ Join C for a Zoom-live session Friday, August 15, 12-12:30 pm to gather tips & tricks on organizing your daily routines. Please note that this will be an interactive session where participants can share strategies and resources for structuring wellness activities into our busy lives. A separately recorded version of this content will also be available the week of August 18 to view whenever works best for you. 
   

Questions/comments, contact quarterly health campaign organizer Brinda Sankar 

Open to the entire Cornell community, no wellness recreation membership needed.

In recognition of Mental Health Month in May, Cornell Wellness is hosting a series of activities the week of May 5th (05/05/25 – 15/11/25). This Mental Health Month, prioritize yourself and participate in one of our activities. The offerings will focus on practicing self-care, provide you with resources that can make you feel empowered to take proactive steps toward wellness. Small actions can lead to big changes, don’t wait, register below for one or more activities and be entered into a Prize Drawing worth $50 (50 points through the Employee Appreciation portal).

If you are pressed for time and are not able to participate in any of the activities mentioned, don't worry, a recorded version of all of them will be available the week of May 12th for you to take part in at a time/day that is most convenient for you.

Register here if you are intending to participate in one of the offerings below, or if you'd like to receive the video version of the offering released the week of May 12th.

• Jumble Journaling: Monday, May 5, 4:00-4:30pm, HR Wellbeing Room - 345 Pine Tree Road, East Hill Plaza. Team up with Kerry to Jumble Journal and allow your mind to freely flow its thoughts onto pages of a journal. Never heard of Jumble Journaling? That’s because Kerry made it up. The word jumble is often associated with a confused pile of things. During this in-person workshop, Kerry will describe and lead you through a few types of journaling styles that you’ll then be invited to try out in real time. Attend this workshop to get those jumbled thoughts that are rolling around in your mind out in front of you and onto paper, creating some needed space between you and your thoughts.
• Strengthen Against Stress: Tuesday, May 6, 8:30-8:45am or Thursday, May 8, 3:00-3:15pm. Two sessions will be offered so that you can choose the option that best fits your schedule. Join Tina for a brief (15-minute) zoom live session as she guides you through five body and mind strengthening movements you can do to feel stronger and more resilient.
• Rest & Recovery: Friday, May 9, 10:00-10:30am. Come to C’s zoom live workshop to discuss the importance of rest for mental wellness and to develop a plan for integrating restorative practices into your busy schedule. Time will be split between learning about how our bodies handle stress, discussion about pressure to be on-the-go all the time, and guided self-reflection to find strategies that work for you.
• Foods to Keep in Mind: Friday, May 9, 12:00-12.30pm, Room 220, HNH Oasis, by the gym, 163 Cradit Farm Dr, Helen Newman Hall. Connect with Brinda for a power point presentation focusing on healthy eating, smart food choices and grocery shopping to support your brilliant brain and body. What you eat can have a huge influence on your mental well-being.

Questions/comments, contact quarterly health campaign organizer Brinda Sankar 

Open to the entire Cornell community, no wellness recreation membership needed.

February is American Heart Month, let’s take a bit of time this month to collectively learn about things that make our hearts happy and healthy. How are we going to do this, we have ideas…. The wellness team is planning activities the week of February 10th, 2025 for you to take part in. Open to the entire Cornell community, no Wellness membership needed. Participate in one or more activities to connect with others while simultaneously learning about heart health and be entered into a Prize Drawing worth $50 (50 points through the Employee Appreciation portal).

Register here if you are intending to participate in one of the offerings below.

• Open Your Heart to Stretching - Join Tina, Cornell Wellness Staff, for this 15-minute recorded session as she guides you through heart-opening, tension-relieving stretches and movements to make your heart happy and bring joy to your day. The video recording will be available at the start of the campaign so that you may enjoy it at your leisure, whenever it fits in with your schedule.
• Post to Viva Engage – The week of February 10th, connect with your Cornell community through sharing a picture of yourself on Viva Engage holding a hand drawn heart containing one or more words describing what makes your heart happy. Your heart can be simple or creatively bedazzled, and what you write inside of it is completely up to you. Many things can contribute to a happy heart including healthy foods and physical activity, plus anything that reduces our stress such as spending time with friends, snuggling with pets, visiting favorite places, getting enough sleep, and so much more. Share and connect with others in the Cornell community through the Cornell Wellness Experiences Viva Engage page. New to Viva Engage? See information from Cornell IT on how to get started. If you experience any challenges using Viva Engage, alternatively you can email Kerry Howell your picture, and she will post it.
• Demystifying Physical Activity Guidelines - Join C, on Thursday, February 13, 12.30 -1.00pm for this educational workshop to learn about the physical activity guidelines for keeping your heart happy and healthy. We will discuss the benefits of physical activity in addition to figuring out what kind and how much is best for you. Other topics will include how to know what different levels of intensity might feel like, as well as using technology to track your heart rate and overall fitness. There will be a Q & A section at the workshop, so please bring any questions you have! While the workshop itself will not be recorded, a pre-recorded version will be released in case you cannot attend the Zoom live session.
• Cocoa and Heart Health - Being happy is actually good for your health, especially your heart. Researchers found that happy people are 22% less likely to develop heart disease over the course of a 10 year follow up. Show your heart some love on Valentines Day, by making chocolate from scratch with Brinda while learning some myths and facts on the heart health benefits of cocoa. February 14, 11.30am -12.30pm, in-person at the East Hill Plaza Wellbeing Room, 345 Pine Tree Road. A pre-recorded version of tips and tricks of chocolate making will be released in case you cannot attend the in-person session.

Questions/comments, contact quarterly health campaign organizer Brinda Sankar 

Open to the entire Cornell community, no wellness recreation membership needed.

Almost 1 in 6 adults in the US has diabetes. In recognition of American Diabetes Month, Cornell Wellness is hosting a series of activities this week. Whether you are newly diagnosed, have diabetes, or taking care of your family member with diabetes, we have some information to share. Fill out this intention survey letting us know your intention to participate in one or more of the offerings listed below to be entered into a $50 prize drawing (50 points through the Appreciation Portal).

• Wellness’ Instagram (11/18/24-11/25/24) - Tune in to Cornell Wellness’ Instagram to see how Wellness staff answer questions about blood sugar control. Let us know what tip/s you found interesting when you fill out the end of campaign survey.
• Habit Building Workshop (11/21/24) 2:00-2:45pm - Have you recently been diagnosed with diabetes? Are you wanting to make changes to your habits but are not sure how to go about it? Join Wellness staff for this introductory workshop to explore strategies for changing current habits or building new ones. We will cover several topics including goal setting, developing support networks, and creating an action plan. Please still indicate your interest below even if you are unable to attend the workshop, as a recorded version will be released after the Zoom live session. Questions? Contact session facilitator C Lucas (cl2478@cornell.edu). If you missed the virtual session, watch the Habit Building workshop video.
• Tabling Event (11/22/24) 11:30am-1:30pm - Stop on by the Teagle Hall entrance foyer, where you'll interact with Wellness staff and learn information about lifestyle ideas to manage diabetes/healthy living. Ask some questions about food, exercise, grab a couple of handouts, and leave feeling empowered about your health.

Take part in one or more of the above offerings to learn about diabetes and your health. Questions/comments, contact quarterly health campaign organizer Brinda Sankar 

Open to the entire Cornell community, no wellness recreation membership needed.

Cornell Wellness invites you to experience Living Well with Fall’s Bounty during the last week of September (9/23/24 – 9/29/24). Fall is a time to bring attention to supporting your immune system through everything that nature has to offer including nutrient packed seasonal fruits and vegetables plus the calming colorful beauty of the outdoors, and more. Register here to participate in one or more of the offerings listed below and be entered into a $50 prize drawing (50 points through the Appreciation Portal).

• Pumpkin Pump Express (9/23/24) 11:30-11:50am - Take part in this virtual strength class, utilizing the bounty of your garden as the weights in your workout to do some pumpkin squats, potato presses, zucchini curls, and more as Tina guides you through a short workout sure to bring on the sweat, but more importantly - the fun! No pumpkins at hand? That's perfectly fine - you can still participate with whatever you have available - whether it's dumbbells, soup cans, or water bottles. If you missed the virtual session, watch the Pumpkin Pump Express video.
• Fall Foliage Walk and Roll (9/25/24) 3:00-3:30pm - Join C for a panoramic view of the fall colors around central campus. The walk & roll will begin and end at the overlook near Uris Library to admire all things fall. If you can’t make it, try a walk or roll in your own community and look for a tree with yellow leaves, a fall flower, fall window decorations, etc. and let us know about your beautiful finds when you fill out the end of campaign survey.
• Food Demo (9/27/24) 11:00-noon - Participate in this Zoom live food demonstration on preparing a Sesame Turnips & Carrots recipe with Brinda and learn how to incorporate this tasty seasonal fall produce into your meal line-up. Fresh seasonal produce doesn't just happen in the summer, the fall is filled with delicious seasonal produce too! Have you ever tried turnips before? If not, this will be a great start to including this nutritious and versatile produce into your diet. Registered participants will receive the ingredient list so you can choose to cook along or just watch and learn. Didn’t get a chance to join the virtual session, watch the Food Demo video.
• Fall Produce Powerhouse (9/23/24 – 9/27/24) - Tune in to Cornell Wellness’ Instagram for 5 days of tips from Kerry on leveraging fall’s seasonal fruits and veggies to support your immune system and help prevent or control some common health challenges that may arise throughout your lifespan. Let us know what tip/s you found interesting when you fill out the end of campaign survey.

Take part in one or more of the offerings listed above to boost your immunity as you enter a time of increased exposure to colds and viruses. Questions/comments, contact Brinda Sankar MSc, RD CDN, Nutrition and Health Outreach Specialist with Cornell Wellness. 

Cornell Wellness’ 2-week health campaign on Blood Pressure Basics runs June 3, 2024 through June 14, 2024. It’s open to the entire Cornell community, no Wellness membership needed. Learn about, and try out, multiple ways to help maintain or manage your blood pressure. Participate in one or more of the following offerings and be entered to win $50 through the Employee Appreciation portal (redeemable through Amazon, Cornell Store, Cornell Dining, or applied towards the CARE Fund).

• Blood Pressure (BP) challenge – Increase your own awareness of what your blood pressure is by recording your BP readings throughout the two weeks. Use a self-serve machine available at many pharmacies or have your BP taken at one of the tabling events. If you would like a printable BP log emailed to you, for ease of recording your readings, reach out to Cornell Wellness staff Brinda Sankar, and she’ll email it to you, or you can download a copy from the Wellness Weekly Update e-newsletter.
• Tabling events – chat with Wellness staff about blood pressure, get your BP checked if you’d like, and pick up helpful handouts. We’ll have nutrition and fitness experts from Cornell Wellness staffing the table to answer your questions. Additionally, you can sniff and touch multiple cooking herbs, which are great for adding flavor to your favorite dishes instead of shaking on the salt. For sodium sensitive individuals, salt can increase BP.
  • Monday, June 3, 7:30-8:30am, Helen Newman Hall – near the 3rd floor fitness center entrance
  • Monday, June 10, 11:30-12:30pm, Teagle Hall – near the 1st floor fitness center entrance
• Moves To Manage Your BP - Join this 20-minute session filled with gentle movements for you to try that can have a positive impact on your blood pressure. Movements focus on centering, grounding, and relaxation techniques. Workshop provided by Tina Hunt, Wellness and Fitness Specialist.
  • Tuesday, June 4, 11:30-11:50am, Helen Newman Hall 2nd floor dance studio
  • View the recorded version of Moves To Manage Your BP. Email Tina to let her know you watched it
• Walk And Roll – Join this approximately 60-minute on campus group experience. It begins with 5-10 minutes of information sharing on the benefits walking/rolling has on BP, then 30-40 minutes walking/rolling around the paved arts quad path, and ends with 10 minutes of stretches, all led by C. Lucas, Wellness Community Programming Specialist. Don’t have 60 minutes, that’s okay, join for the amount of time that works for you.
  • Thursday, June 13, 11:30am-12:30pm, meet at the AD White Statue by Goldwin Smith Hall, Arts Quad
  • Not on campus? Take an intentional 40 to 60-minute walk at a destination of your choosing, and email C to let them know where you went
• Lower your blood pressure through Meditation – Plug in, listen, and feel tension start to ease. Practicing meditation as self-care for both your mind & body can have a big impact on reducing blood pressure through decreasing low levels of stress you may be experiencing and improving how quickly you can wind down towards sleep. Try out these meditations by Kerry Howell, Cornell Wellness Director and email her to let her know which one you tried.
  • Cornell Wellness: Relax With Wellness (18 minute)
  • Cornell Wellness: 5 Minute Sleep Meditation
  • Cornell Wellness: 15 Minute Sleep Meditation

Questions/comments about the health campaign, contact Brinda Sankar, Nutrition and Health Outreach Specialist with Cornell Wellness. 

• October 20 - 27, 2025
• Register here for this campaign
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed

Join Cornell Wellness for the weeklong Stretch It Out campaign. We'll send you an email each day that highlights a new stretch to try, and at the end of the week, you'll receive two short videos of the stretches formed into quick and convenient routines.

Bonus!! Participate with a Cornell-affiliated friend or colleague and you’ll both get double entries into the prize drawing ($25 value)!!

• June 9 - June 23, 2025
• Register here
• A variety of prizes will be available
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed

Join Cornell Wellness for the Around the World in 14 Days challenge. Whether you are walking, rolling, exercising indoors using a cardio machine, or doing some other form of movement, it counts. We’ll tabulate our collective miles and then virtually visit a variety of Cornell related locations. Can we make it all the way to the hometowns of famous Cornell alumni or to historical landmarks that Cornell affiliated people helped build? Let’s see how far we can propel ourselves together!

For questions, contact C Lucas, Cornell Wellness staff and lead organizer of the Around The World campaign (brought to you by Cornell University Wellness Program).

• Runs Monday, January 6 - Friday, January 31, 2025
• Registration is ongoing, Register here
• Open to the entire Cornell community; no membership needed
• Weekly Prize Drawings!

The Try It with Wellness campaign begins this week and will last through the end of January. In-person, virtual, and pre-recorded options are all included. The campaign features activities related to nutrition, physical activity, and self-care for the mind. Each Monday you’ll get an email packed with new options for the week, try out one or more of the options to be entered into that week’s prize drawing.

You can look forward to:

• Trying out new recipes
• Playing around with different types of journaling
• Stretching sore muscles and easing tension
• Tuning in to guided meditations
• Getting familiar with dumbbells, stability balls, and other exercise equipment
• Touring the recreation spaces on the Ithaca campus
• Finding activities that best work for you
• And more

You can participate in as many or as few offerings as you'd like throughout the month, and you can participate at any time. If you miss a week, you can still participate in later weeks. 
Bonus!! Sign-up with a Cornell-affiliated friend or colleague and you’ll both get double entries into the prize drawings!!

For questions, contact C Lucas, Cornell Wellness staff and lead organizer of the Try It with Wellness campaign (brought to you by Cornell University Wellness Program).

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Held Wednesdays, 4-session series, October 8, 15, 22 & 29, 2025, 3:30-4:30pm, Appel Commons fitness center (North campus)
• Fee: $50, Max enrollment: 8
• Requirement: Must already have an active 1-year Wellness Recreation Membership to enroll
• Register here for this 4-session in-person series

Looking for that motivation to propel you from thinking about working out inside a fitness center towards doing it? Register for this new offering led by exercise physiologist and personal trainer Kerry Howell as she guides you through 4 workout sessions. The small trainer to participant ratio will enable lots of individual interactions within the group setting.

• What you can expect
  Session 1 includes:
  • walk-through of the Appel Commons fitness center space
  • be guided through a group warm-up
  • give one or more pieces of cardio equipment a try
  • end with a guided group stretch

Sessions 2, 3, and 4 will add strength training to the workouts, inviting you to try out new pieces of equipment in a judgement free inclusive and welcoming environment. Questions? Contact Kerry at kk253@cornell.edu. Once you are enrolled, and prior to the start of the first session, you will receive information on how to remit payment. If enrollment fee is a financial barrier to participation, please email Kerry at kk253@cornell.edu to inquire about options.
 

• Held Tuesdays, October 14, 21, 28, November 4, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm
• Fee: $80 (non-members). $50 for folks with an active 1-year Wellness Recreation Membership
• Max Enrollment: 40
• Register here for this 4-session Zoom series

Did you have a blood draw done and received information that your total cholesterol, LDL, or HDL numbers weren’t optimal, but you don’t know what that means or what to do about it? Are you looking to build both your knowledge and skills towards actionable options you can try out that science has shown result in lowering cholesterol? Then this 4-session series is a great choice to make. Each session facilitated by Kerry Howell is topic focused and has elements of shared learning. Contact Kerry at kk253@cornell.edu with any questions about this offering.

with Weill Cornell Medicine Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, Susan Loeb-Zeitlin, MD.

• Thursday, October 16, 2025, 12:00–1:00pm
• Register here for this Zoom session
• Open to the entire Cornell and Weill Cornell community

October is Menopause Awareness Month. Join us to learn about perimenopause & menopause and navigating this significant life transition with confidence. If you’re going through the transition or just curious to learn more about what may lie ahead, this is a great workshop for you. Dr. Loeb-Zeitlin has over 25 years of health care experience, is board certified in the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Menopause Society Certified Menopause Practitioner. There is a lot of information circulating about menopause right now and Dr. Loeb-Zeitlin is excited to share with the Cornell community evidence-based information about the menopause transition and suggestions for living healthy lives as we age. 

The first part of this workshop will be recorded, and then the second part will have an open Q&A section which will not be recorded. If you would like contact with the workshop facilitators, please reach out to Cornell Wellness staff Brinda Sankar or Kerry Howell.